Toilet tank fill valve



Jan. 28, 1969 1', J, BRENNAN ET AL 3,424,187

TOILET TANK FILL VALVE Sheet Filed Feb. 5, 1965 INVENTORS ozfza: 5M/117 M w W W Jan. 28, 1969 T. J. BRENNAN ET ALy 3,424,187

TOILET TANK FILL VALVE Filed Feb. 5, 1965 Sheet 2 of 2 fi M United States Patent O 3,424,187 TOILET TANK FILL VALVE Thomas J. Brennan, 5620 Rountlhill Court, and Walter A.

Baumstark, 720 Hupp Cross Road, both of Birmingham, Mich. 48010 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 322,179, Nov. 7, 1963. This application Feb. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 431,773 U.S. Cl. 137-217 8 Claims Int. Cl. E03d 1/36; E03c 1/10 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toilet tank till valve having inlet and outlet means closable by a diaphragm located in a pressure chamber and wherein the pressure in such chamber is the same as the inlet pressure. A bleed valve assembly provides communication between the inlet and the chamber to close the diaphragm upon filling of such chamber. The valve is controlled by means actuated in response to the water level in the tank.

This invention relates to water flow valves and more particularly to a. fill valve for the water tank of a toilet. This is a continuation-in-part to the copending application Ser. No. 322,179, now abandoned, led in the United States Patent Office on NOV. 7, 1963, and entitled, Toilet Tank Fill Valve.

In the conventional toilet construction a water tank is mounted rearwardly and above the toilet bowl to provide a reservoir for flushing the Ibowl in the usual manner. When the :bowl is flushed, the water from the tank ows out of the tank and into the bowl and then to the sewage system. It is necessary to refill the tank following each flush operation. This is lgenerally accomplished by providing a ll valve of some nature that permits 'water to ow into the tank from a suitable source, filling the tank to the desired level. As soon as the tank is iilled to the proper level, the system is at rest until the next flushing operation.

There are two major problems in the usual toilet tank construction and operation. In the normal device the ow of water from the tank is controlled by a gravityoperated valve ball, seating in the outlet pipe and which is raised for the flushing operation =by the flushing handle. As the water llows from the tank, the ball drops to seat on the outlet pipe and prevents t-he fiow of water from the tank when the tank is being filled. It is not uncommon for an imperfect `seal to exist between the ball and the outlet, thus permitting a continuous leakage of water from the tank past the valve. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the ball valve to improperly seat on the outlet pipe, thus contributing to water leakage therepast.

A second problem that is often prevalent in toilet constructions and water system constructions is the back up problem or back flow from the outlet to the inlet in the water system. For example, if a water main breaks somewhere in the system, it is not unlikely that a vacuum will exist in the inlet to the toilet tank which will tend to cause a lback flow from the tank outlet to the tank inlet and thus into the water system of the installation. Further, in those systems Where the outlet leads eventually to a drainage field, septic tank or the like, and the drainage field becomes saturated or the tank lled, it is possible for a greater pressure to exist on the outlet side of the valve than on the inlet side and cause back ow of water to the inlet and thence throughout the water system. The health and sanitation problems under such conditions are obvious.

In many installations these two seemingly unrelated Patented Jan. 28, 1969 ICC problems may combine to disrupt the water ow or water system in an installation. For example, in an installation with a drainage field, continuous leakage past the outlet of the water tank when the toilet is not ushing continually builds up the drainage field to saturation; and it is not inconceivable that this mere leakage can cause a drainage field back up when the toilet is flushed or when a large amount of water is dumped into the sewage system. f

The usual type of toilet-type fill valve construction utilizes a iloat extending from the ll valve and connected thereto by a lever arm. The oat actuates the water ow in the valve in response to the level of water in the the tank. When the tank is flushed, the float drops down with the water level to open the valve and permit inow of water for filling the tank. As the tank is filled, the oat rises with the water level, gradually closing olf the filling valve. When the proper water level is reached, the valve presumably closes. With leakage past the ball outlet valve, caused either lby an improper seal or an improper seating of the ball on the outlet, the water level falls. As the water level falls, the float drops and the valve opens to replace the `water lost through leakage. If the leakage is continuous, it is evident that the filling valve will continually cycle, the oat moving upwardly and downwardly with the water level to open and close the valve. This is a noisyv and irksome problem, and the continuous flow of water tends to saturate the sewage system and otherwise ybeing expensive. Furthermore, such continual flow keeps the water in the tank at substantially the temperature of the water system which is probably cooler than the ambient air surrounding the toilet. In such case, the toilet tank exterior will sweat and condensation will drip on the iloor and else-where around the installation.

In order to avoid the back flow problem, most filling valves are provided with an antisiphoning device of some nature which disrupts the back iiow of water from the outlet to the inlet by introducing air or otherwise closing o the system. Such devices are generally imperfect in their operation and are of such construction as to wear out with time or become ineffective for some other reason. Oftentimes they are not of sufiicient capacity to prevent a sudden surge of back ow into the system, and thus are not fully effective in their operation.

The device in which this invention is embodied cornprises, generally, a filling valve having a base plate which is received and secured on the inlet pipe in the water tank. The base plate has an outlet passage adjacent the inlet passage, :both the outlet and inlet being covered by an expansible diaphragm. A cover member extends over the base plate and encloses both the base plate and the diaphragm to provide a chamber above the base plate and diaphragm. Located in the base plate and communicating ybetween the chamber and the inlet is a bleed passage, permitting ow of water at line pressure to the chamber above the diaphragm. Also formed in the base plate is a dump valve assembly which permits the water in the chamber to be dumped into the tank when actuating the filler valve. A suitable antisiphon device is disposed in the outlet of the system to prevent the back flow problem.

When the fill valve is un-der static conditions, or at rest, the chamber above the `base plate will be iilled with water at water line pressure, the water bei-ng received therein through the bleed passage in the ibase plate. The dump valve will be closed and the water maintained at line pressure to hold the diaphragm in a closing position. The closed diaphragm prevents ow from the inlet to the outlet of the valve. When the flush handle is actuated, the dump valve dumps the water in the chamber and releases the pressure above the diaphragm. Line pressure in the inlet forces the diaphragm to an open or extended position to permit water flow from the inlet to the outlet and thus into the tank. As the tank is being filled in this manner, Water at line pressure is pasisng through the bleed passage back into the chamber, the chamber eventually filling to line pressure and closing the diaphragm over the inlet passage and outlet passage. At such` time, the water tank will be lled to the proper level and the value returns to its static condition.

In a modified form of the valve device, float operation of the bleed valve is utilized to close completely the bleed passage during the flush cycle and to open the bleed passage during the latter part of the filling operation. A float is pivotally mounted on the valve structure to rise and all with the level of water in the tank, the float being connected by suitable means to the needle valve in the bleed pasage. Upon flushing, the rapidly falling water level in the tank, and the consequent downward movement of the float, will cause the needle valve to close the bleed passage. As the tank is filled, the float will rise with the water level to open communication through the bleed passage and permit water flow to fill the dome above the diaphragm. The rush of water through the bleed passage will clean the pasage of any sediment or other impurities which might have collected therein, and permits a more rapid filling of the water tank and the valve dome.

A device constructed and operated in the above-described manner is extremely efficient and positive, as well as being extremely economical in the saving of water. Even if there is leakage past the usual ball outlet valve, the water tank does not relill to replace the leaked water, since the valve is under static conditions and the water pressure prevents the diaphragm from opening. The worst that can happen under such circumstances is that the water tank will be completely drained over a long period of time so that when the flush operation is necessary, nothing will happen. However, by actuating the flush handle, the pressure is released above the diaphragm and the valve immediately begins to operate. The tank is filled, and it is only necessary to reflush the toilet after the tank has filled to carry out the flushing operation. Thus, the valve d-oes not permit continual running of water into the tank to replace leaked water, conserving water and at the same time preventing the sweat and condensation problem often existent in present installations. An antisiphon device which is positive in its operation and eicient in its construction is disposed in the outlet to prevent the back `flow problem. The entire valve structure has few moving parts that will need replacement or repair from time to time and little or no adjustment is necessary as time passes. The valve assembly is easily adapted to present installations.

These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following description and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a portion of the usual toilet construction with parts broken away and in section to illustrate the position of the filling valve.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filling valve illustrated in FIGURE l showing the position of the various parts when the valve is under static conditions.

FIGURE 3 is a similar cross-sectional view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE l with the parts shown in the operating position;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the antisiphon device of the valve illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the valve structure illustrating the float controlled needle valve in the bleed passage.

FIGURE 6 is a partial cross sectional view of the valve structure of FIGURE 5, taken substantially along the line of 6-6 of FIGURE 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows, and illustrating the valve structure in the at-rest position.

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG- URE 6 and illustrating the position of the various parts during the tank filling operation.

FIGUR-E 8 is another cross sectional view similar to FIGURE 6 and showing another form of the needle valve mounting structure.

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG- URE 6, and showing yet another form of the needle valve structure.

Referring more partieuluarly to the drawings, FIGURE l best illustrates the typical toilet installation. In such installation the bowl 10 is mounted on a pedestal 12 secured to the floor in some suitable manner. A cover 14 is hinged to the bowl 10. Disposed rearwardly and above the bowl 10 is the water tank 16 having the usual cover 18 and which holds a quantity of water for the Iflushing operation. An outlet conduit 20` communicates between the tank 16 and the bowl 10I to permit the flow of water from the tank during the flushing operation. A water inlet conduit 22 extends into the tank 16 from the water system and secured thereto is the fill valve, illustrated generally by the numeral 24. 'Extending from the fill valve 24 is an outlet pipe 26, through which the water flows to fill the tank 16. A flush handle 28 connected by a suitable linkage arrangement to the fill valve 24 actuates the valve, and the usual ball type outlet valve (not shown) seats in the outlet conduit 20 to close the conduit after the tank is emptied by the flush.

FIGURES 2 and 3 best illustrate the construction of the filling valve 24. A base plate, illustrated generally by the numeral 30, has a boss 32 extending therefrom. Boss 32 is provided with an internally threaded bore 34 to receive the threaded end 36 of the inlet pipe 22. When properly installed, base plate 30 and valve 24 are supported on the inlet pipe 22.

Disposed adjacent the inlet bore 34 is an outlet passage 38 in which is suitably secured an antisiphon device, illustrated generally by the numeral `40 and which will be hereinafter more fully described. Secured in antisiphon device 40 is the outlet conduit 26 that conveys the Water from the inlet passage 34 to the tank 16 in a manner to become hereinafter more apparent.

Extending over the base plate 30 is a dome or cover 42 having a peripheral flange 44 secured to the base plate 30 in any suitable manner as by screws 46. A gasket or the like 48 may be disposed between the flange 44 and the base plate 30 to prevent leakage of water therepast. The dome or cover 42 provides a chamber 50 above the base plate 30 which encloses the entire upper surface of the base plate 30 and the various parts disposed therein.

Secured in the upper surface of base plate 30 and covering the inlet passage 34 and outlet passage 38 is a exible diaphragm 52. Diaphragm 52 is so located that in its relaxed or static condition it will close the communication between inlet passage 34 `and outlet passage 38 to prevent flow of water therebetween. Above diaphragm 52. may be a supporting cover 54, having a plurality of apertures 56 formed therein, to limit the upward movement of diaphragm 52 under water flow conditions. The cover 54 is provided with a peripheral ange 58 to permit securement to the base plate 30 in any suitable manner as by screw 60. Screws `60 may thus secure both the cover 54 and the diaphragm 52 in the proper position on the base plate 30.

Formed laterally in base plate 30 is a threaded bore 62 communicating with the inlet passage 34 through a bleed passage 64 and with the chamber 50 through a Ibleed passage 66. Bleed passages 64 and 66, along with bore 62, permit water flow from the inlet 34 to the chamber 50 in a manner to be hereinafter described. 'Received in bore 62 is a metering pin, illustrated generally by the numeral 68, having a threaded shank 70 and a knurled turning handle 72. The inner end of metering pin 68 is provided with a conical surface 74, receivable in the bleed passage 64 to provide a metered annular orifice for ow of water therethrough. Such orifice can be varied by moving the metering pin inwardly or outwardly to vary the flow rate through the passage 64 and into the chamber 50.

In order to release the water from the chamber 50 when desired, a dump valve passage 76 is formed in the base plate 30. Such dump valve passage maybe formed in any convenient manner, and for purposes of illustration and description there is shown an insert 78 of suitable material, and preferably a plastic material, received in a bore 80 in a boss 82 formed in the base plate 30. Insert 78 has an outwardly flared end 84 for securement in the boss 82 and to form a valve seat 86 for closing olf the passage 76. Received in the insert 78 is a dump valve member, illustrated generally by the numeral 88, including a shank 90 and a valve head 92 having a valve seat surface 94 seating in the insert 78. Dump valve 88 is of such construction that it may |be raised 01T the valve seat 86 to release the `water in the chamber 50 at the proper time.

Valve member 88 is provided with slot 96 through which is received a suitable lever 98 pivotally mounted, as at 100, in a boss 102 formed from the -base plae 30. Lever 98 is attached by a rod 104 to the flush handle operating rod 106 by a suitable hook or like means 108. An adjustable stop member 110 is secured to the rod 104 in any suitable manner to adjust the position of lever 98 relative to valve 88 and to the handle operating rod 10'6. It is evident that by moving the operating rod 106 upwardly, lever 98 will move upwardly therewith to actuate the valve 88.

The antisiphon device 40 disposed in the outlet passage 38 is shown to include a housing 112 formed of any suitable material and preferably of plastic. Housing 112 has a central bore 114 acting as the outlet for the valve 24. An outwardly turned ange 116 seats on a suitable seal, such as O-ring 118, to seal the housing 112 in the base plate 30. Housing 112 has a threaded bore 120 at its lower end that communicates with the central passage 114 and which receives and is secured to the outlet pipe 26. Formed in housing 112 and adjacent the threaded :bore 120 are suitable air passages 122, the purpose for which will become hereinafter more apparent.

Disposed across the passage 114 and within the housing 112 is an apertured wall 124 with water passage holes 126 formed therein. The spacing of holes 126 relative to the axis of the housing is such that the holes 126 are closer to the axis than the air passages 122.

Disposed yacross the passage 114 and between the wall 124 in the outlet 120 is a flexible mem-ber 128 having a central aperture 130 formed therein. Member 128 is of sufficient flexibility so that when water flows through the outlet passage 114 and through the passages 126, the How lwill ca-use the membrane 128 t0 deflect downwardly, as illustrated at 129 in FIGURE 4, to block off ow through the air passages 122. This would take place under normal operation of the valve. When there is no water ow through passage 114, the member 128 returns to its position, as shown in full lines in FIGURE 4. Under conditions of back flow or the like, memfber 128 will flex upwardly to the position shown at 130 in FIGURE 4 to open the air passages 122, for purposes to become hereinafter more apparent.

The member 128 may be held in the housing 112 in any suitable manner, as by a land or shoulder 132 formed in the housing 112 and downwardly depending flange 136 on the wall 124. A seal 134 may be disposed therebetween. The wall 124 and integral flange 136 may be held in place in the housing 112 in any manner suflcient to clamp the member 128 against the land 132.

The operation of the above-described valve and antisiphon device will now be described. Under static conditions the fill valve 24 has its parts in the position substantially as shown in FIGURE 2. Under such condition, water tank 16 will have a predetermined amount of water therein which is available for flushing the bowl 10. Also under such conditions the chamber 50 between the cover 42 and the base plate 30 will be filled with water under line pressure and will thus be bearing against the diaphragm 52. Line pressure is also available at the underside of the diaphragm through the inlet pipe 22 and inlet passage 34. Under such conditions, the diaphragm remains closed to prevent flow from the inlet 34 to the outlet 38. Should it be desired to Hush the bowl 10, the handle 28 is actuated, moving lever 106 and lever 98 upwardly and thus opening the valve 88. Valve 88 assumes a temporary position, as shown in dashed and dotted lines in FIGURE 3. At the same time, the outlet 20 from the tank is opened by the conventional lifting of the ball valve. The water in chamber 50 in the fill valve will immediately dump into the tank 16 through the dump passage 76. Upon dumping, the pressure is immediately relieved and the diaphragm 52 flexes upwardly against the cover 54 to open communication -between the inlet 34 and the outlet 38. Valve member 88- falls back into its proper seating position by the force of gravity and the chamber 50 begins to fill through the bleed passages 64 and 66. The parts will then be in the position shown in FIGURE 3. With the metering pin 68 in its proper position, the rate of flow will be properly determined and a period of time will elapse before the chamber 50 is again filled with water at line pressure. During this time water is flowing from lthe inlet pipe 22 through the inlet passage 34, underneath the diaphragm 52, and through the antisiphon device 40. The water flows into the tank 16 through the outlet conduit 26 to fill the tank 16 to its proper level. When the proper level is reached, the pressure in chamber 50 will be at water line pressure. The pressure in the inlet conduit 22 and inlet passage 34 will be slightly less than line pressure, due to the velocity effect of the water flow from inlet 34 to outlet 38, decreasing the pressure to slightly below line pressure. Therefore, when the chamber 50 fills and reaches line pressure, the diaphragm 52 closes to seal off communication between the inlet 34 and the outlet 38. The tank 16 will then be filled to its proper level for the next operation.

If under static conditions the outlet 20 of the tank 16 should leak, it is apparent that no water will flow from the inlet 34 to the outlet 38, since the diaphragm is held in place by the line pressure in the chamber 50. Thus, leakage of water from the tank 16 will not be replaced nor will the valve continue to run or cycle as the water level changes.

Should conditions exist that would indicate or cause a back flow through the valve, the antisiphon device 40 will operate. It is possible for conditions to exist where the pressure in the inlet pipe 22 is lower than the pressure in the outlet pipe 26. This may be caused by a water main break and a resultant loss of inlet pressure or creation of a vacuum in the system, or by a surge or increase of pressure in the outlet system to an amount higher than the pressure in the inlet system. If there is a vacuum in the inlet 22, the pressure in the chamber 50 will -be relieved through the bleed passages 66 and 64. Thus, the diaphragm 52 would normally raise and fiow would be possible from the outlet 38 to the inlet 34. However, the flexible member 128 extending across the outlet passage and in the antisiphon device 40 would ex upwardly to its position 130, opening the air passages 122 in the antisiphon device body 112. The entrained air through the passages 122 and the spacing of the holes 126 and 122 would break up any vortex effect in the antsiphon device 40 to prevent water flow past the diaphragm S2. Under conditions of high surge in the outlet conduit 26, it is apparent that relief may be found in the air passages 122 below the member 128. Thus, any incoming flow from the outlet 26 under these conditions would fall directly in to the tank 16 through the passages 122.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 through 7, a modified form of the filling valve is illustrated and wherein like reference numerals in the figures above-described refer to like parts in FIGURES -7. In some installations it may be desirable to completely stop ow from the inlet passage 34 to the chamber 50 for most of the water tank emptying and lling cycle. This may be done to maintain the ibleed passage 64-66 in a clean condition and to prevent sediment or other impurities from building up and hindering the water ilow therethrough. As illustrated in FIGURES 5 through 7, the base plate 30 is provided with the bleed passages 64 and 66 between the inlet passage 34 and the chamber 50. A valve passage 140 is formed in the base plate 30 to intersect the bleed passage 64-66, the outer portion of the valve passage 140 having a coarse thread 142 formed therein. The inner portion of passage 140 may be smooth and cylindrical, terminating in a taper, as at 144, where the passage connects with the bleed passage 64.

Received in the valve passage 140 is a needle valve, illustrated generally by the numeral 146, the valve 146 having a tapered or pointed end 148 adapted to move into the bleed passage 64 and engage the shoulder 150 between the passage 64 and the conical portion 144 of the valve passage 140. Valve 146 is provided with a threaded portion 152 so that rotation of the valve 146 will cause the valve to move inwardly or outwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation, and thus into or out of engagement with the shoulder 150 in the bleed passage 64. The thread 152 is of such nature that a small amount of rotation of the valve 146, in the nature of one-quarter turn, is all that is necessary to completely close or completely open the bleed passage. A seal 154 may be mounted in a suitable groove 156 formed in the valve stem to prevent water flow therepast.

In order to actuate the valve stem 146, a float 158 is pivotally mounted on the valve body. As best illustrated in FIGURE 5, a bracket member 160 is secured to the valve body in any suitable manner, as by mounting bolt 146, and has a pivot pin 164 secured in any convenient manner therein. Pivot 164 is secured to a bar 166 extending outwardly therefrom and which is thus pivotal with respect to the bracket 160 and the valve structure 24. Threadedly received in the end of the bar 166 is a iloat rod 168 which extends to and is suitably secured in the iloat member 158. It is apparent that with water in the tank 16 the oat 158 will rest on the top of the water and as the water level falls the float will move downwardly therewith. Again, as the water level rises in the water tank 16 the float will rise, pivoting about the pivot pin 164.

Valve 146 is provided with an enlarged head 170, formed in a suitable polygonal shape, and receives a yoke 172 which may be secured thereto in any suitable manner. Yoke 172 extends toward the rod 168 and terminates in an enlarged flange 174. A connecting hook, or eye, 176 is suitably secured in the ange 174, as by spaced nuts 178, and is received over the iloat rod 168. It will now become apparent that by downward movement of the iloat 158 from the position as shown in FIGURE 5 with a fall in water level in the tank 16, oat 158 and rod 168 will pivot downwardly and thus cause rotation of the valve 146. The hook or eye connection 176 between the yoke 172 and the rod 168 is loose enough to permit such pivotal movement without binding or without hanging up, that would prevent the rotation of the valve 146 or the downward movement of the float 158. It is, of course, to be understood that some type of universal connection might easily be substituted for the structure shown in FIGURE 5 without departing from the scope of the invention.

Upon rotation of the valve 146 by means of the falling iloat 158, the valve 146 is advanced through the threads 152-142 into the bleed passage 64 where the conical end 148 engages the shoulder 150 to completely stop ow from the inlet passage 34 through the bleed passage 64-66 to the chamber S0. As the water in the tank 16 continues to fall, the lloat 158 may hang in mid air due to the short distance of travel required to close the bleed passage 64. As the water level rises, due to the flow from the inlet pipe 22 to the outlet pipe 26, the water will contact the oat 158 and raise the float to cause reverse rotation of the valve 146. This causes the conical end 148 of the valve to move out of the bleed passage 164 and permits water flow therethrough. The rush of water through the bleed passage 64 maintains the orice 150 in a clean condition and prevents the buildup of sediment or other impurities. The overall operation of the valve is otherwise the same as hereinbefore described.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, still another modification is shown Where the valve 146 is adjustably mounted in the valve body 30, to permit adjustment of the range of movement of the valve 146. In this instance a threaded collar, illustrated generally by the numeral 180, is threadedly received in the valve body 30v and may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly as desired. The inner bore of collar 180 is provided with the coarse threads 142 to receive the threads 152 on the valve member 146. Since the valve member 146 will move within the limits of the coarse threads 142-152, this range of movement may be varied relative to the valve body 30 by moving inwardly or outwardly the collar 180. The operation of the valve structure is otherwise the same as above-described.

Yet another modification of the valve structure is illustrated in FIGURE 9. In the embodiment there shown, the valve body 30, provided with the bleed passage 64-66, has extending outwardly therefrom a pair of ears 182 having a pivot pin 184 extending therebetween. Mounted on pivot pin 184 and pivotable between the ears 182 is a lever 186, suitably slotted as at 188 to receive a valve pin, indicated generally by the numeral 190. Valve pin 190 includes a shank portion 192 having a tapered end 194 receivable in the bleed passage 64. A seal 196 located on the shank 192 seals the shank in the passage 140 to prevent water flow therepast. Valve pin 190 has a stem 198 of decreased diameter to be received in the slot 188 in the lever 186, and terminating in an enlarged head 200. Stem portion 198 maintains the valve pin 190 in the lever 186 and permits sliding movement between the stem 198 and the lever 186 as lever 186 is moved about its pivot pin 184.

Extending outwardly from lever 186 are ears 202 having extending therebetween a pivot pin 204. Secured on pivot pin 204 is a member 206, one end of which is threaded to receive the oat rod 168, and the other end of which is threaded to receive an adjusting screw 208. It is apparent that by advancing or retracting the adjusting screw 208, and with cooperating movement of the float lever 168, the level of the Water in the tank may be varied by changing the time of opening of the bleed passage 64-66 and the entrance of water to the dome chamber 50.

In operation, the device illustrated in FIGURE 9 permits the rapid opening of the bleed passage 64-66 when the tank is flushed. The parts illustrated in FIGURE 9 are in the down position, that is, after the tank has been ushed and the float has dropped. As the Water level rises, the float and float rod 168 will rise therewith, pivoting the lever 186 in a clockwise direction, thus drawing the valve pin 190 out of the bleed passage 164. As this occurs, rapid ow of water passes from the inlet 22 to the dome 42 in the manner above-described. The oat, resting on the top of the water in the tank when in the at rest position, is withdrawn from the bleed passage and as the tank is flushed, the dropping of the float immediately slides the valve pin 190 into the bleed passage. Thus, a reciprocating action of the valve pin 191) is provided to open and close the bleed passage.

Thus, a lling valve is provided for a toilet tank which is extremely simple in its operation and has relatively few moving parts. The device does not depend upon water level for its operation and will not be actuated by a change in the height of water in the water tank. The device is extremely economical in that it conserves a great deal of water that might otherwise be cycled through the tank and yet is positive in its operation when it is needed. Other modilications and variations in the illing valve structure will occur to those having skill in the art after having had reference to the foregoing description and drawings. However, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention by the foregoing description and drawings but by the scope of the appended claims in which:

We claim:

1. A filling valve for the water tank of a commode and comprising:

a base plate having water inlet means and water outlet means therein;

a cover over said base plate and defining therewith a chamber enclosing said inlet means and said outlet means;

a diaphragm in said chamber and alternately prohibiting and permitting ow from said inlet means to said outlet means in response to pressure conditions in said chamber;

bleed passage means between said inlet means and said chamber for admitting water under pressure to said chamber;

dump valve means in said base plate and communicating with said chamber for releasing said water under pressure from said chamber to permit said diaphragm to expand and permit ow from said inlet means to said outlet means;

bleed valve means reciprocably mounted in said bleed passage in said base plate to open and close communication between said inlet means and said chamber in response to water level in said water tank;

oat means pivotally connected to said base plate and operably connected to said bleed valve means for moving said bleed valve means in said bleed passage, said oat means being pivoted in response to water level in said water tank;

and anti-Siphon means in said outlet means to prevent back-How from said outlet means to said inlet means.

2. A filling valve for the Water tank of a toilet comprising:

a base plate;

water inlet means in said base plate;

water outlet means in said base plate;

a cover over said base plate and defining therewith a chamber surrounding said inlet means and said outlet means;

a. diaphragm in said chamber and alternately permitting and prohibiting flow from said inlet means to said `outlet means in response to pressure conditions in said chamber;

bleed passage means in said base plate and communicating between said inlet means and said chamber exteriorly of said diaphragm for admitting Awater under pressure to said chamber;

a valve stem in said base plate and movable into and out of said bleed passage means to close and open respectively communication between said water inlet means and said chamber;

dump valve means in said base plate and communicating with said chamber, said dump valve means being operable to release the water under pressure in said chamber and allow said diaphragm to expand and permit ow from said inlet means to said outlet means, and said dump valve being closable to permit pressure buildup in said chamber through said bleed passage means to a predetermined amount to close said diaphragm and prohibit iiow from said inlet means to said outlet means;

actuating means operatively connected to said valve stern exteriorly of said filling valve for moving said valve stem in response to variations in the water level in said water tank;

and anti-Siphon means in said water outlet means for preventing uid liow from said outlet means to said inlet means.

3. The lling valve set forth in claim 2 wherein said valve stem is threadably received in said base plate whereby rotation in one direction closes communication between said inlet means and said chamber and rotation in the other direction opens communication between said inlet means and said chamber.

4. The filling valve set forth in claim 2 wherein said valve stem is slidably received in said base plate and is reciprocable therein.

5. The filling valve set forth in claim 4 and further including a lever pivotally mounted on said base plate and having a slot therein receiving said valve stem, and means operatively connected to said lever to pivot said lever and reciprocate said valve stem in accordance with the water level in said water tank.

6. The filling valve set forth in claim 3 wherein said actuating means includes a iioat pivotally mounted on said valve and adapted to oat on the water in said water tank and rise and fall therewith, and means connecting said float and said valve stem for rotation of said valve stem with movement of said oat.

7. The filling valve set forth in claim 6 and further including means for adjusting the range of movement of said valve stem.

8. The filling valve set forth in claim 7 wherein said last-named means includes a collar threadably received in said base plate and threadably receiving said valve stem, said collar being adjustable in said base plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,207,171 9/1965 Kryman 137-218 848,739 4/1907 Gut 251-46 966,921 8/1910 Jones 251-46 X 1,158,869 11/1915 Thomson 251-46 1,269,721 6/1918 Kuntny 251-46 X 2,868,492 1/1959 Volcov et al 251-46 2,911,000 11/1959 Doyle 137-414 2,948,297 8/1960 Langdon 137-218 X 3,245,650 4/1966 Brennan 251-45 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,091,498 10/ 1960 Germany.

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

D. H. LAMBERT, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

